Every December, Victoria Park’s Christmas lights transform this North Naples neighborhood into a glowing winter wonderland. Known for decades as the place to experience holiday decorations in Naples, nearly all 300 homes participate in creating a festive spectacle. Friendly rivalries between streets and neighbors drive ever-more elaborate displays, making this holiday tradition one that gets brighter—and more beloved—each year.
How the Tradition Began
It’s a holiday tradition that keeps getting bigger and more elaborate every year. Victoria Park has been known for decades as the place to go to see lights and decorations.
Lindsey Manring grew up in Victoria Park and has seen the explosion of holiday spirit. She lived there as a child in 1988 and moved back with her husband and five kids in 2014.
“There have always been a lot of Christmas lights, but it wasn’t until 1992 that they really started synchronizing everything,” she said.
Martha and Rob Anderson agree.
“We moved here in 1994, and I would say even back then it was a Christmas light destination,” Martha Anderson said. “But not to the extent that it is now.”
Street by Street: Themes & Rivalries
In 2007, a college student from Victoria Park was home for the holidays and, with some buddies, created a few lighted archways over Windsor Way. That soon grew to more than a dozen arches set up over the street each holiday season. Other streets added their own themes. Candy canes sprouted on Sussex Street, followed by Christmas trees on Whitehall Street, organized by the Andersons.
“The candy canes popped up first and we were jealous. We thought, ‘We are a great street; we can do that,’” said Martha Anderson. “One of my kids said ‘How about a tree? That’s just a triangle.’ Rob built one and put it up on our mailbox. He went door-to-door and asked people to look at it, and everybody unanimously said, ‘Yes, do it.’”
The Andersons bought the supplies, and the neighbors worked assembly-line style to make lighted trees to glow from the top of every mailbox on the block. Other streets now decorate mailboxes with snowmen, snowflakes, shooting stars, angels, candles, and more.
When Dayanna and Blaise Ciabaton and their four children moved to Victoria Park in 2019 they already knew about the decorating tradition from their years of visiting during the holidays. As soon as they moved in, Dayanna started buying holiday decorations. Her favorites are the Santa and sleigh on her roof and all her inflatables. The Elf on the Shelf inflatable is her favorite, because so many children comment on how much they enjoy it. She and her family enjoy sitting by their fire pit in their driveway watching all the people enjoy the lights.
“It’s the coolest thing to give that much joy to so many people,” Ciabaton said.
Michael and Michele Standish moved to Victoria Park in 2000. They like to sit in their driveway by a fire pit and watch all the people drive by. Often traffic backs up all the way onto Airport-Pulling Road.
“During the middle of the week is better,” Michael Standish advised for avoiding crowds. “You can start on Huntington and work your way back up and down.”
Standish said the least crowded times are right after sunset and after 9:30 p.m. Most residents shut their lights off between 10 and 11 p.m. Of course there is no avoiding traffic on Christmas Eve, when almost every home has luminaries lining their lawns and driveways. There is so much traffic that it backs up all the way to Immokalee Road, and deputies have to help direct drivers.
Residents know their glowing community means lots of vehicles. It’s so popular that the Naples Trolley and many gated communities organize tours.
“We do not leave the house the month of December after 5:30 p.m.” Anderson said. “It is an understood thing. We love it. We sit outside most nights. People wave and shout ‘Merry Christmas’. It is just amazing. It is such a fun thing.”
“I feel like it is really special for our kids,” Manring added. “We have made it into a scavenger hunt. People have hot chocolate and Santa hats. My daughter has her birthday in December and she has her friends over to look at the lights. They can’t want to invite their friends over.”
“It’s something that really brings the community together,” Standish added.
Visiting Victoria Park: What to Know
Where It’s Located:
Victoria Park is in North Naples, situated just off Airport-Pulling Road between Vanderbilt Beach Road and Immokalee Road. Look for Nottingham Drive as the main entrance to the neighborhood
When to Visit:
The lights typically turn on at sunset, making early evening a great time to arrive. To avoid crowds, aim to visit on a weekday and either shortly after dusk or later in the evening, around 9:30 p.m. Christmas Eve is the busiest night of the season, with heavy traffic and long lines stretching out to major roads.
Best Route To See Victoria Park Christmas Displays
How to Experience the Lights:
Most people enjoy the displays from their cars as they slowly drive through the neighborhood. It’s a drive-through experience, with streets glowing in synchronized themes, mailbox decorations, inflatables, and holiday music playing from some homes. A few visitors walk, but driving is the primary way to experience the lights.
Tips for a Smooth Visit:
Lower your headlights when driving through to see the displays better and avoid distracting others.
Keep a slow, steady pace and avoid honking.
Bring hot chocolate, snacks, and festive gear, and turn it into a holiday outing.
Avoid blocking driveways or stopping in the middle of the road for too long.
If you plan to take photos, look for safe areas to pull over without disrupting traffic.
Some local trolleys and tour companies include Victoria Park as part of holiday lights tours—these can be a stress-free alternative to navigating traffic on your own.
What Makes It Special:
From lighted arches to themed streets and mailbox displays, Victoria Park goes above and beyond with its holiday cheer. The residents embrace the tradition, often sitting outside by fire pits to greet visitors with waves and holiday wishes. The sense of community and joy keep people coming back year after year.
